Evaluation of the ecological status of an impaired watershed by using a multi-index approach

摘要: The objective of this study was to use an integrative approach assess the ecological status a small river impacted by multiple sources disturbance. River Febros (NW Portugal) is and highly non-regulated river; approximately 44% watershed area dedicated agriculture, but there also some urbanization. Environmental evaluated using new multi-index approach, combining quality indices for water (Water Quality Index (WQI)), benthic macroinvertebrates (Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party (IBMWP)), human modification (Riparian Forest (QBR)); Ecological Status Mediterranean (ECOSTRIMED); Habitat Survey (RHS)). Surveys were carried out between October 2002 2003, along four stretches main course physicochemical characteristics, as well microbiology macroinvertebrates. Water poor at all sites (WQI averaged 30.4%) decreased downstream. RHS (assessment instream habitats corridor) QBR quantification displayed same trend. Macroinvertebrates diversity permanently low with only most tolerant insects taxa present; oligochaetes dominated. represented experimental assessment system, where downstream decrease in condition noticeable (in spite lower upstream). Our results emphasize importance assessing several components disturbed ecosystems order ascertain overall promoting improvement riparian gallery buffer against agents